Grand Gatherings???

[alauniira]

I just heard about Grand Gathering? We are going to be a group of about 25 and I was wondering what I have to do to be considered a Grand Gathering. I was thinking that doing the cruise would be great for our wedding night. Can anyone give me more info. How many people can go on a cruise and what does it all include. Thanks!

 

[lurkyloo]

Bump!

 

[luvsmickey]

To be considered a Grand Gathering you have to have 8 or more people! So you've got it covered! We were just barely a Grand Gathering last year for my DF and soon to be DS's first Disney trip! I'm not sure about the cruise, but you may have too many people. Hopefully, someone with a little more info on the cruise will post something on that topic. But if you have any questions regarding the Grand Gathering, just let me know or PM me! Sounds like it'll be a lot of fun! Good luck!

 

[PinkCindere11a]

Can you explain what a Grand Gathering is?

Thanks

 

[luna99]

Can you explain what a Grand Gathering is?

Thanks

yes, I'd like to know too.

 

[LuckDragon]

According to the website, a grand gathering is an "exclusive" experience for a group of 8 or more people staying at WDW hotels. You can choose from a dessert reception, a safari dinner, a MK fireworks cruise, etc. The events are only offered on certain days of the week. Check out this website (sorry it's so long):
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...roducts?id=GrandGatheringsSpecialProductsPage

 

[alauniira]

I saw the website but its confusing. Is there anyone out there who has done these and could give me info and a review of if its worth it?

 

[RangerPooh]

Unitl a few family members dropped out at the last minute we were scheduled to be a grand gathering last summer. Basically it meant that we could go through a special department to make all of our room and dining reservations. As a Grand Gathering you can participate in 4 different activities, for a cost. None are exculive to you party, as you share the space wiht others. After reviewing a few reviews here in the DIS we decided that it wasn't worth the money to do the activities. But it was nice speaking with the Grand Gatherings reps during our planning process as they tended to be more polite and knowledgable than regular CRO. I'm not sure if this has helped anyone or not. Hopefuly this link will help someone http://www.mousesavers.com/packages.html#gg

 

[luna99]

thanks for those links.. that sounds like something I'd be able to do and I was thinking of booking a boat fireworks cruise for the evening of our wedding.. that would be perfect. I love that capn' hook and smee would be our guides! haha my nephews would love that!

i'm going to look into this for sure.

 

[luvsmickey]

We really enjoyed using Grand Gatherings to book our trip last May. It allows the party to schedule events together, like dinners! Also, if you're not a custom and wanted to block rooms, they will do so under the Grand Gatherings. That way everyone can be in the same building when being checked in, even at different times! It kinda keeps everyones reservations together without having to use soooo many different reservation numbers, it kinda gives everyone one number to use for priority seating and such! I hope this info helps! And I hope you have a Magical Grand Gathering!

 

[Malibelle]

I looked into grand gatherings for the wedding so we all could be together. Apparently you get assigned a grand gatherings # so evertime someone in your group books something they use that number.

Unfortunitely, I was told I could not do it because the wedding fell under conventions or something like that, I forget the whole explanation they told me. If we wanted to book a large group for dinner we would have to call group reservations or if an event like Hoop De Doo, disey weddings can book it for us in which they did.

 

[keb55]

split you GG into 2 smaller groups .. and dont tell them

 

[alauniira]

What is the difference with booking a grand gathering verses a group event?

 

[ChocolateMouse]

split you GG into 2 smaller groups .. and dont tell them

If you do that, I don't think your two groups are guaranteed to be together like the hotel block or dining reservations.

 

[luvsmickey]

We're using Grand Gatherings for our wedding! My wedding planner told us not to tell them that it was for a wedding till afterwards! Said they would tell us we had to do it through them but everyone's not staying the same amount of time, so it's easier to use Grand Gatherings. Hope this helps!

 

[Belle1981]

We had a grand gathering the night before my parents VR last year. Ours was a dinner "around the world" at Epcot followed by entertainment and dessert party. The food was GREAT! Ours had cuisine from Italy, China, USA and Germany. Together with the meal was a "hostess the mostest" who had all those people there GRAND GATHERING people (ie 8 or more people) up and dacing. It was located in the old Millenium Village in World Showcase near the UK Pavillion. Also after we got our desserts in walked MINNIE and GOOFY who posed for pictures with everyone in the Grand Gathering. It was great and aside from our group there was only 2 other Grand Gatherings there which meant we got to spend some quality time with the characters. They even danced with my grandmothers! If anyone is debating about it take our advice and DO IT!